Sometimes a kind word or a helping hand can make all the difference in the world. For Kosciusko County victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, that helping hand is most often extended by the members of the county's Domestic Violence Task Force who are known as victim's advocates. The advocates volunteer their time to be "on call" in three eight-hour shifts per day, said Joanna Beatson, the victim's advocate coordinator for the Victim Service Center. Currently, the VSC has approximately 10 to 12 advocates, but the ideal number, Beatson said, is 15 to 20. Advocates carry beepers furnished by the VSC and someone is available 24 hours per day, she said. Current volunteer advocates, all women, come from all walks of life and all age groups, Beatson said, and go through an intensive training process before they can assist victims.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016